Explore the Hamptons: A Luxury Beach Destination Rich in Literary and Artistic Heritage

The Hamptons’ Eternal Appeal

Long Island resembles a fish with a long, split tail that has collided with the southern tip of Manhattan. It is the remnant of two separate, intersecting glacial moraines, laid down over the continental shelf many millennia ago as the glaciers melted. South of the rocky central spine of the island, fine white sand spills into the Atlantic, creating beautiful beaches that have drawn wealthy New Yorkers eastward over the past century and a half. This summer migration takes them out along the lower fork of the tail to find paradise in a series of villages, settled by farmers and fishermen, collectively known as the Hamptons.

Artistic Influence

Artists were among the first cosmopolites to discover this idyllic stretch of land, drawn, in part, by the unspoiled rural vistas and limpid marine light. William Merritt Chase and other significant landscape artists congregated in Southampton in the late 19th century; in the 20th century, Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning relocated from Manhattan. Notably, many successful artists, including Eric Fischl and April Gornik, reside and work on the South Fork. Their artistic presence contributes significantly to the allure and myth of the Hamptons, even as rising property prices increasingly limit access for many creatives.

Hollywood’s Takeover

In recent years, Hollywood has increasingly made the Hamptons a favored retreat, to the extent that movie stars and rock stars now often outnumber local writers and artists. Celebrities like Alec Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, and Robert De Niro are frequently spotted at Nick & Toni’s restaurant in East Hampton or at various movie premieres in local theaters. Consequently, the social scene reaches its peak in August when vacationing city-goers flock to cocktail parties, galas, and dinner events, often creating traffic congestion on the two-lane roads that connect the villages and hamlets.

Changing Seasons

Traditionally, the day after Labor Day was known as Tumbleweed Tuesday, as thousands of New Yorkers departed the Hamptons only to return nine months later. However, recent trends show that more summer residents are extending their stays, returning during autumn and spring weekends, or even relocating permanently—an inclination intensified by the pandemic. This shift has made the area less affordable for locals and for those providing vital services to summer residents. Nevertheless, the beaches remain pristine, the villages picturesque, and the local produce, especially corn and tomatoes, is still celebrated as the best in the world. Moreover, summer in the Hamptons continues to be a cherished experience for many.

A version of this story first appeared in the August 2023 issue of iBestTravel under the headline “A Hamptons Summer.”